PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar on Friday, August 6, 2021, denied the claim of Senator Panfilo Lacson that the national police agency is misusing its anti-communist insurgency funds.
“The Philippine National Police categorically and vehemently denies the allegation of Senator Panfilo Lacson that we have misused the NTF-Elcac (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) funds by using it to conduct census in the different barangays nationwide,” Eleazar said in a press conference.
"The PNP is not conducting or instructing our chiefs of police to ask 30 percent of barangay residents to give their names, contact numbers and addresses for census. We have no use for any census," he added.
He maintained that police units use the funds in conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations as part of the efforts to address communist insurgency in the country.
Eleazar said they also deepen their community relations programs by working with different communities nationwide, including non-government organizations and advocacy groups to improve their services.
The police also work hand-in-hand with members of the community in their anti-drug and anti-criminality efforts, as well as protect the community, especially the youth from falling prey to syndicates and being recruited by communist front organization.
"Everything that is being done by the PNP in relation to the NTF-Elcac funds is above board, and we welcome any investigation that may be conducted," he said.
On Thursday, Lacson, a former chief of the PNP said he received a report that a police general is going around police offices ordering police units to conduct a census in their respective barangays using the funds allocated by the NTF-Elcac to the PNP.
He said such activities could be in preparation for the upcoming elections.
Lacson, one of the lawmakers who approved the NTF-Elcac’s budget, said the irregularities in the use of funds may lead to the review of its budget. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)